49.3431 BF1215  -  Tortricidae -  Olethreutinae - Thaumatotibia leucotreta - False Codling Moth Adult Micro:  CAT 3 - Very Rare/Scarce/Migrant/Adventive - confusion with leaf mines       PDF Icon - click for Verification Guidelines
Brown -  Significant Record / Very Rare / Vagrant        orange - Migrant
Taxonomy:   Micro  >>  Tortricidae Other Name/s: Cryptophlebia leucotreta ID Difficulty:  green  - easy to identify, generally distinctive and unlikely to be confused with other species.
ID pointers: The adult moths are sexually dimorphic, females being larger than males. Males have a diagnostic reduced hindwing with a small circular patch of shiny white scales containing a blackish mark. They also have a tuft of scales on the hind tibia giving rise to a swollen appearance. The moth is small, 7-8 mm in body length with a 15-20 mm wingspan. The forewing is brown/black and has some subtle wing patterning in the form of a complex of dark crescent marks in the apical region of the forewing, and each forewing also has a single spot of white scales. The hindwing is paler, and in the male is slightly reduced in size with a distinctive pale ‘key-hole’-shaped pocket on the hind margin.
Distribution:  (First record: 27/08/2024 )  -  (Last record: 27/08/2024 at Melbourne )  -  A specimen of this Afrotropical species was light trapped by Tony Davison in his Melbourne garden on 27th August 2024. The first record for VC57 & Derbyshire. The species is occasionally imported accidentally as a larva in oranges and other fruits, especially Capsicum frutescens (Chilli Peppers) and seeds. The species is a pest of fruit crops across its natural range in sub-Saharan Africa. A quite remarkable record.
Flight Period: August /  -  Unsure. Moth Activity: Nocturnal   - and is attracted to light Photographed: Yes -  Photographed By: Tony Davison  © All Rights Reserved
Wingspan: 15-20mm
Food Plant: Oranges, Fruit, Chillies.
Last Recorded Date: 27/08/2024
Last Recorded By: Tony Davison
Last Recorded General Area: Melbourne
First Recorded Date: 27/08/2024

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